By River Banks

By river banks I saw such scenes as might enchant an angel's gaze. They gladdened many a childhood hour and filled my youthful heart with praise. Onwards, onwards my bark glided, where waters flowed by open leas, past greening woods where lad and lass cast apple blossoms to the breeze. Onwards, onwards, my bark glided, on the gently lilting stream past fenced gardens, stately houses, rewards of toil with due esteem. Past beeches, bays and boughs of ash, past golden leaves on many a tree, onwards, onwards, my bark glided, onwards, onwards, to the sea.